Class 4 felony

What happens on a second offense of domestic battery in Illinois?

August 18, 2022
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NOTE: The article below contains additional information to clarify the importance of Public Act 101-651. This Act took effect on August 7, 2020 and expanded the circumstances under which an offender may face charges for aggravated battery, which can serve as a prior conviction for the purposes of domestic battery charges. A second offense for […]

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How Does Illinois Address Possession of a Controlled Substance?

July 29, 2022
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The unlawful possession of illegal drugs is an exceedingly common charge in Illinois. Referred to legally as controlled substances, possession crimes involving these drugs can be extremely serious for an alleged offender. A guilty verdict can result in stringent penalties under Illinois law, up to and including jail or prison time and hefty criminal fines. […]

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I got a ticket for driving while suspended in Illinois and this is my second offense. What happens now?

April 27, 2022
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NOTE: This page reflects new material to explain how the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (Public Act 101-0027) adjusted Illinois DUI laws on January 1, 2020. Since that time, cannabis is legal to possess and use recreationally. But it remains an Illinois DUI offense to operate a motor vehicle while impaired by cannabis. Illinois law […]

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Illinois felonies result in conviction despite fact that offender has no criminal background

April 21, 2022
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NOTE: This article was updated to reflect 2019 changes to Illinois law with passage of Public Act 101-593. This change became effective on December 4, 2019, updating various statutes addressing marijuana and related offenses. A person with no experience in the criminal justice system will see that the courts make a distinction between felony and […]

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Possession of a fraudulent identification card: a serious offense

April 7, 2022
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NOTE: There is new content on this page to account for passage of Public Act 101-440 on January 1, 2020. Since that date, there are additional good behavior credits available to eligible inmates upon completion of specific programs. Many people would be surprised to know that possessing a fake ID in the state of Illinois […]

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How Does Illinois Define & Punish Cannabis Delivery Crimes?

March 29, 2022
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The State of Illinois legalized cannabis for recreational possession and use in January 2020. Since that time, residents and out-of-state visitors over the age of 21 can possess and use cannabis legally, subject to possession limits and other restrictions. Despite the transition to recreationally legal cannabis, Illinois maintains laws against and penalties for cannabis delivery. […]

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What is the possible sentence for fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer in Illinois?

October 11, 2021
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NOTE: The page below features additional content to discuss the effect of the SAFE-T Act (Public Act 101-0652). Starting July 1, 2021, there will be new Illinois rules for driver’s license suspension and automatic reinstatement of driving privileges for certain offenders. The offense of fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer is a Class […]

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Important changes to Illinois retail theft laws

October 7, 2021
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NOTE: The information below comprises supplementary materials to explain new thresholds for retail crime in certain jurisdictions. Beginning in 2016 and continuing through 2020 and beyond, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office increased the threshold for felony retail theft crimes to focus on the prosecution of violent crimes instead. 720 ILCS 5/16-25 Illinois state law […]

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First felony offense eligible for deferred prosecution under Offender Initiative Program

September 24, 2021
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NOTE: This article includes new subject matter to elucidate the impact of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (Public Act 101-0027). When this Act became effective on January 1, 2020, cannabis became legal for recreational possession and use in Illinois. The Offender Initiative Program Under Illinois law, a person who is charged with a felony […]

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What are the penalties for a second DUI offense in Illinois?

August 23, 2021
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A second offense for DUI in Illinois results in serious penalties including driver’s license revocation, jail for transportation a minor child, and felony charges for certain conditions.

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